Lower Division Courses

BIO-102 Biology of Human Disease 3.0 cr. lecture, 1.0 cr. laboratory

Winter, spring. Emphasis on pathogenic organisms and human immune responses. This is a laboratory course designed for students not majoring in biology. Three lectures and one three-hour laboratory weekly. (NATURAL SCIENCE LAB)

BIO-104  Basic Anatomy and Physiology of Human Activity 3.0 cr. lecture, 1.0 cr. activity

(Same as PHE-104) Fall. Three lectures and one three-hour activity period weekly.  A general study of the anatomy and physiology of the human body with emphasis on neuromuscular, skeletal, circulatory, and respiratory systems as they relate to activity.  This course is not designed for students majoring in Biology, Exercise Science, Nursing, Health Science, or related pre-health professional programs.  The course is designed for physical education majors and the liberal arts core.(NON-LAB NATURAL SCIENCE)

BIO-106 Readings in Biology 1.0 to 3.0 cr.

Fall. Individually assigned readings, followed by written reports or seminars covering classical, current and semipopular literature on biological topics.

BIO-108 Human Genetics 3.0 cr.

Genetics and genetic technology as applied to humans.  Topics include classical (Mendelian) inheritance, genes and gene expression inherited disorders, analysis of pedigrees, sex determination, biological basis of gender, genetics of behavior, gene therapy, and genetic privacy. (NON-LAB NATURAL SCIENCE)

BIO-120 Frontiers in Biology 3.0 cr. lecture, 1.0 cr. laboratory

Focus on frontier areas of biology; examples may include human genetics, bioinformatics, or cancer biology. The frontier topics will cover the fundamental concepts including biology of inheritance and gene structure, function, and expression. Emphasis on scientific problem-solving, including collection, analysis, and interpretation of biological data. Readings, lectures, discussions, lab activities, and computer simulations. (NATURAL SCIENCE LAB)

BIO-129 Murder, Medicine, & Magic 3.0 cr. lecture

Fall or winter. A study of ethnobotany - the uses people have made of plants. Topics include the uses of plants in various cultures for foods, fibers, shelter, beverages, medicines, rituals, and other ends. Emphasis will be placed on basic botanical principles (such as taxonomy, anatomy, evolution, chemistry), and the human needs (physiological, behavioral, cultural) that plants satisfy. (NOTE: When this course is offered without the laboratory, it will count as a NON-LAB NATURAL SCIENCE. When the laboratory is offered with the lecture, the laboratory is a required  co-requisite course and the combination of the lecture and laboratory will count toward the natural science lab (see BIO-129L below). 

BIO-129L Murder, Medicine, & Magic Laboratory 1.0 cr.

This lab may or may not be scheduled along with the BIO-129 lecture. When the laboratory is scheduled with the lecture, it is a required co-requisite course and the combination of the lecture and laboratory will count toward the NATURAL SCIENCE LAB component of the Natural Science core requirement.

BIO-140 Idaho Natural History 3.0 cr. lecture, 1.0 cr. laboratory

Spring. Natural history, flora, fauna, and ecological relationships of the local area. Three lectures and one four-hour laboratory weekly. This course is designed for students not majoring in biology. (NATURAL SCIENCE LAB)

BIO-199T.1 The Life of Birds 3.0 cr. lecture, 1.0 cr. laboratory

A field oriented introduction to avian biology for non-biology majors, with an emphasis on classification, identification, structure, function, behavior, and habitats of birds. Lab and field studies focus on identification of species and avian behavior. Two lectures and one four-hour laboratory weekly. (NATURAL SCIENCE LAB)

BIO-199T.2 Biology of Reproduction 3.0 cr.

This course will provide an overview of vertebrate reproduction. Topics include different modes of reproduction, evolution of sex, male and female anatomy, and the hormonal control of different stages of reproduction such as puberty (sexual maturation), reproductive cyclicity, the hormonal regulation of pregnancy, and finally environmental factors that influence reproduction. (NON-LAB NATURAL SCIENCE)

BIO-200 Frontiers in Biology/Case Studies 1.0 cr.

Fall. Prereq.: permission; AP Biology test score of 4 or 5 or dual enrollment in a college-level biology course. Concurrent enrollment in a laboratory section of BIO 120L. An introduction to the major unsolved problems in biology with emphasis on methods used in scientific problem solving. The course assumes basic knowledge of fundamental biological concepts and uses a case studies approach with reading from the biological literature. For students who have successfully completed advanced high school level biology.

BIO-220 Organismal Biology 3.0 cr. lecture, 1.0 cr. laboratory

Spring. Prereq.: BIO-120. The biology of individual plant and animal organisms: development, functional morphology, anatomy, and physiology.

BIO-221 Population & Ecosystem Biology 3.0 cr. lecture, 1.0 cr. laboratory

Fall. Prereq.: BIO-120 or 220; prereq. or coreq.: MAT-112. The biology of populations and communities: population genetics, evolution, ecology, and animal behavior. Three lectures and one four-hour laboratory weekly.

BIO-260 Diversity of Life 1.0 cr. lecture, 1.0 cr. laboratory

Prereq.: completion of two courses among BIO-220, 221. A survey of major taxonomic groups of organisms with an emphasis on biological classification, phylogeny reconstruction, biological diversity, and comparative morphology. Readings, lectures, discussions, and lab activities. Six hours per week for six weeks.

BIO-294 Independent Study 1.0 to 3.0 cr.

Fall, winter, spring. Prereq: Permission. Library research in biology. Critical review of literature pertaining to a problem or specialized topic in biology culminating in a paper written according to department guide lines. See independent study guidelines. (INDEPENDENT WORK)